President nominates controversial members to SLNEC and new disputes arise

Hargeisa (Somaliland.com) – All the three members selected by Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi for the National Electoral Commission are strongly opposed by the opposition parties Waddani and UCID.

President Bihi selected three individuals to include the seven-member of the electoral commission, but the opposition contested these selections for different reasons.

President Bihi selected  Musefe Mohamed Dahir, a young scholar, working as a secretary in the presidential palace. The opposition says that the nomination of Mustafe violates the electoral bill in two aspects. They claimed that he is under the age of 40 and a civil servant which the bill doesn’t allow

The second selection of the President is Kaltuun Sheikh Hassan Abdi, is a member of the current controversial electoral commission.

Where the third nominee from the president is Abdirashid Mohamud Ali (Riyo-Raa) ex-deputy minister in the past Kulmiye government under Ahmed Siilaanyo. The opposition is accusing him of being a member of the KULMIYE party that participated in the last election campaign.

MPs told CBATV in anonymity that there is a campaign underway in the House of Representatives to reject these selections and keep the election process flawless.

The Speaker of House of Representatives Bashe Mohamed Farah told the local media that Waddani Party has sent a letter requesting to hold back their nominee. The speaker didn’t clarify the claims that the opposition party justified this suspension.

However, it appears that without the completion of the formation of the new electoral commission there will be a delay for the planned elections in December this year.

Previously, Waddani party has nominated Mr. Abdikariim Yasin Sheikh Dalmar, while UCID selected Hassan Yusuf Duale, While two others came from the Upper House of the Parliament GUURTI, also nominated two members: named: Mohamud Dahir Jama (Dhoodi) and Abdirahman Mohamed Ismail (Dihood).

The outgoing Somaliland National Electoral Commission (SLNEC) is due to run out in this November.